Up There Cazaley

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 10k
Month Total: 38k
Year Total: 1376k

I'm in Melbourne for work so this morning I headed out into a gloriously sunny day (bit windy but) and did a bit of an extended lap of the MCG.

I was very careful not to tread on any dead Swans and kept a watchful eye out for any swooping birds of prey ;-)

Still finding it a bit tough - but I guess you get that in the big games. Try again tomorrow :-)

Still Plodding

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 6k
Month Total: 34k
Year Total: 1372k

I have Whinging Leg Syndrome - no niggles - just tired, miserable pins that feel like lead weights attached to me at the hips.

With a hectic schedule for the next couple of days I needed a run today as insurance against not being able to squeeze one in later in the week. Tomorrow is Mrs 2P's Happy Birthday day and as previous wounds  have now healed sufficiently I won't risk bloodshed or a broken limb by going for run (no one here but us cowards). Wednesday I am on the Red Eye to Melbourne and have a work dinner that night so no running opportunity there. I might squeeze something in on Thursday or Friday but will just have to wait and see - maybe Wobbles might be up for a trot Thursday arvo?

As for today - yowser! - I struggled through 6k in 40 minutes - Ewen I might as well just buy you that beer now mate ;-)

Cheap Lact-Away

The legs were a little too overcooked to make running a sensible option today so I headed out for an easy 30 minutes on the bike for a bit of recovery.

It was mighty windy out around Breakfast Point and Canada Bay with lots of trees and even a light pole down.

Not the most pleasant 10k I've ever ridden but the quads are a little happier for the experience - and it was a whole lot cheaper than Lact-Away ;-)

Striders 10k Plod

Today Total: 10k
Week Total: 28k
Month Total: 28k
Year Total: 1366k

After Wednesday's and Thursday's hit outs I predicted it would be a hard day at the office today - talk about your self fulfilling prophesy - I reckon I could do Sister Cleo out of a job.

My first ever Striders event and I must say what an impressive machine. I'd join but I am a big believer that if you are a member of a club then you should put in as well as take out and I simply don't have the time available to contribute. But I will continue to fund their coffers (gladly) with the extra visitors charge at those events I can make it to into the future.

The usual suspects were in attendance including Tesso who is moving here from Brissy (hehe couldn't resist that Clairie) and it was really nice catching up with all my virtual mates from both Blogland & CR.

I was planning to go 59.59 but after 2k I knew that wasn't going to happen - the slight rise on Pondage Link Road had my VMO's screaming from Thursday's ride - my breathing was fine for a change but the legs were just dead and so it was plod, plod, plod.

I had convinced myself that I would DNF at 5k but as I trotted back to the Start/Finish area the legs and brain refused to yield and I accepted my fate and continued on with the 2nd lap.

I haven't seen the official time yet but it will be in the high 63's (nett) Edit: 64.02 gun - I think I was about 4th last Edit: I was 6th last, but there were also 9 DNF's - fairly woeful given that a few short months ago I was running 10 minutes faster as comfy training runs. Still - on the bright side - I've seen some positive movement on the scales and I am back into double digits so it can only get better from here ;-)

Bike Bliss

Just got back from a 53k ride on the mountain bike in 2 hours 40 - considering some of it was on dirt trail and some on grass I'm very happy with it.

Another glorious day in tinsel town so I donned the bike knicks and my ancient Reynold 531 jersey and headed off on the MTB to Parramatta via Meadowbank, Ermington and Rosehill.

When I got to Parramatta Park a small pack of road bikes was passing so I tacked on the back to see if I could keep up - they were travelling between 26 & 27kmh on the flat - just cruising and having a good old natter. It was a bit of a stretch for me but I thought a nice quicker section would be just the ticket to break up my ride and make the 20k homeward trip interesting.

I stuck with them for 6 laps, struggling a little on the slight rise just after the main entrance but found I was reaching for the brakes as my greater weight and gravity took over on the down. No one spoke to me - I don't think they thought very much of a triple figure fatso on a $250 MTB with normal pedals, nobbly tyres, wheel reflectors and a bell tagging on to them - but what the hey I'd let them run with me anytime  ;-)

After breaking off from them I then set sail for home pretty much the same way as I'd come - the 6 faster laps had certainly made my legs nice and toasty - I was fine on the flat but my legs were soon screaming on any hills - I loved it! I will confess - the last 3k were a bit of a drag and I had definitely had enough by the time I turned into my driveway but as I said at the start, I'm very happy with it.

Man I love holidays :-)

Narrowneck Bliss

Today Total: 14k
Week Total: 18k
Month Total: 18k
Year Total: 1356k

Talk about chalk and cheese - when I was last at Narrowneck last Sunday week it was 28 degrees and gale force winds - today it 21 degrees and not even a hint of a breeze. Springtime in the mountains at its best :-)

I parked up at the locked gate, jacked up the camelbak and after manouvering my body underneath it (read extended all the straps to accommodate my new found girth) went for a trot 7k out to the fire tower and return - I went out very conservatively walking the worst of the hills early - the plan was always for a negative split which I accomplished by a bit over 2 minutes - so pretty satisfied with that.

The views were simply stunning today and I was very much in my happy place :-) 14k is still a bit short to call it a real run - but I'm getting there ;-)

Hehe and one for you Hilda - I'm tapping out this post on my Blackberry at a place called Hilda's Lookout!

Paying The Piper

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 4k
Year Total: 1338k

The legs were as dead as door nails after the last 2 days exertions so I decided to keep it short and slow and fair dinks even that was a struggle.

At this stage it is that fine balance between keeping the faith, getting some consistency back into the training and not overdoing it - I suspect I'm right on the cusp after todays very ordinary outing.

So I'll have a rest day tomorrow (Halfpennys Birthday in Bathurst) and then the plan is for something longer up the mountains on the way home on Wednesday.

Enjoy the holiday Monday for those who have it ;-)

On Your Bike

My legs pulled up heaps better after yesterday than I expected - happy days :-)

Another glorious Spring day - so when I found out that the social director had booked us in to go and watch grand halfpenny number 1 do some modeling work at Birkenhead Point the wheels and cogs got to turning that I could literally get the wheels and cogs turning.

So I got out the metal detector and started searching for the MTB - I finally found it in the carport under a pile of dust and cobwebs - it was worth the asthma attack to dust it off - it's actually red - go figure ;-)

I rode on semi-flat tyres for 5k till I finally found a servo that had their air compressor turned on - nothing like old fashion service - well there certainly is nothing like it around Concord anyway *tish-boom*.

And onwards to Birkenhead (where I promptly lost my sunnies) - the grand halfpenny sans front teeth did her best for Osh Kosh & Pumpkin Patch and earned more money for about a minute and a half all up on the catwalk (aged 7) than I do in a day - good work if you can get it - maybe I should become her agent......

On the way back I took in The Bay, Five Dock and then back to the foreshore around Canada Bay and Breaky Point where a maggie got me a nice raking blow down the side of the cheek - even drew blood - so now I have the classic duelling scar to go with my Germanic ancestory - now where are those blue coloured contact lenses and peroxide?

Anyhoo all up 20k in just under an hour - pretty happy with that considering the first 5k was like riding through molasses. Life is good :-)

CR 5k Challenge

Today Total: 10k
Week Total: 24k
Month Total: 57k
Year Total: 1334k

What a gorgeous morning for a run around The Bay.

I didn't set the alarm last night and left it up to the running gods as to whether I would run today or not. When I awoke at 0630 it was going to require fine timing if I was to make the start and after about 30 seconds of procrastinating I decided to give it a crack.

The start was choca's with about 40 yellow and blue clad warriors toeing the line - I made it just in time to go off with the largish 28min group including Birthday Girl Owly, Plu, Pipe, Kit & Ellie.

Kit and Ellie quickly took off and the rest of us meandered along in a loose group - I tailed off the back of the pack by about the 2.5k mark and doddled along around 20m behind the rest. By 3k I was really struggling to stay in touch but toughed it out with the mantra "don't quit, don't you DARE quit".

By 3.5k the over achievers started to go by which always gives me a lift and I picked up the pace slightly - when Birthday Girl Mk11 the legendary and wonderous Tesso came up on my shoulder at 4.3k (running off 22 I think) I just couldn't resist going with her for about 400m - eventually though I had to pull the pin and let her go - giving her one final gee up before I dropped.

BGMk1 Owly then came up to me and I picked the pace up and accompanied her over the line in 27.58 - a far cry from the sub 23 mins I did in March but I was happy to have finished relatively unscathed.

I was a little over enthusiastic at the start of the run back as the pack was "jogging" back at a faster pace than I came in the other direction - when I finally realised the sound of that freight train was actually my breathing I slowed and eventually tailed off with Owly and Pipe for a companionable trot back to the start.

All up 10k in about 61.40 and I'm pretty happy to have hit double figures in the distance department again - now for the mow-the-lawn recovery session :-)

Big Happy Birthday to The Owl & Tesso xx - sorry I can't join you for the celebration kids.

B +ve

Today Total: 7k
Week Total: 14k
Month Total: 47k
Year Total: 1324k

"Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmmm"

That's me trying to feel a whole lot better about tonights run than when I first finished it.

"Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmm" I'd do it in the lotus posie if I seriously didn't think my aching bloody knee joints would dislocate at the mere thought of crossing my legs.

"Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmm" that run really didn't hurt and those walk breaks were but an opportunity for me to take in more of natures beauty and smell the metaphorical roses.

"Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmm" that time I picked up cadence and knee lift when the pretty girl was running towards me was not male ego - rather it was an attempt to inspire a sister runner - to feel a oneness as we both communed on a metaphysical level as fellow runners in the common cause of further, faster.

"Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmm" that retching shortly afterwards was just the bodies way of cleansing itself of negativity.

"Ohmmmmm, ohmmmmmm" - bloody ohm never looked so good as when I finally turned the corner back into my street.

Well it's done and that's about the best thing I have to report.

"Ohmmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmmm".

Hit Me

Today Total: 7k
Week Total: 7k
Month Total: 40k
Year Total: 1317k

I'm still carrying significant hurty bits from Sundays assault - but that morsel of massochism must have been good for my running soul because I've been able to think of nothing else since other than "when can I run again"? That and the fact that several Six Foot threads have cropped up on CR over the last couple of days - as I said in one of them - "I only run to support my Six Foot Track habit" - And I'm in need of a fix so hit me baby :-)

When the opportunity to knock off work early arose I snatched it and headed off home for a run. I did a loop that took me through the Concord green belt to Concord Oval and then back via the foreshore along Canada Bay to Breaky Point and home again.

Not the most glamorous performance I have ever turned in and I took a few rest and walk breaks but hey I'll take it ;-)

Hamseen Epic

Today Total: 8k
Week Total: 16k
Month Total: 33k
Year Total: 1310k

*Warning long post alert - but this run was a special*

Driving back from Bathurst through the occasional dust storm in very warm and windy conditions I knew if I stopped for a run up the mountains I was going to dry out quicker than a celebrity at a Betty Ford clinic. With only a 500ml hand bottle available for the actual run I set myself a 750ml suck water KPI for the car trip.

With the strong North Westerly blowing I briefly flirted with the idea of the Grand Canyon loop or doing the Six Foot stairs as both would be very protected - but I figured the long climbs out would be counter-productive at my current level of fitness. So I headed for the locked gate on Narrowneck figuring that though it is an exposed ridge the Southerly aspect from that point on should at least offer some respite from the howling gale.

It's nice to have theories :-)

But I wasn't going to die wondering if Schroedingers (sic?) Cat bit the big one or not on this trip - and let me tell you I know for a fact - the cat dies. The wind was truly horrific!!!

Heading off from the car I had butterflies in my belly but conjuring up an old mentors mantra of "don't let fear stop ya son - think it through" I reasoned the threat from deadfall given the wind had been blowing for some time was minimal. And to be fair the route selection did offer some respite (in some places).

My lack of fitness had me walking the hills sooner than I'd of liked and it was a commiting decision at the 3k mark to drop down into the deepest and steepest of the big dips on Narrowneck.

Climbing the otherside I became exposed to the full force of the wind from the exposed Westerly side of the ridge and by the time I hit the 4k mark the sandblasting and buffeting of the wind in my back was giving me full indication of what I was in for on the return. When one gust hit me like a shove in the back propelling me forward a few meters I decided enough was enough and pulled up stumps and headed for home.

And what an interesting experience that was.

Suffice it to say that as I sit in the car tapping this report out on the Blackberry my face is a mixture of burn and sting and my eyeballs feel like someone has rubbed them dry with a 12 year old chamoise that has been left out in the sun.

Anyhoo the coffee I thankfully brought along in a thermos is nice and I managed to miss the rain which is just starting to fall - small mercies.

Even though it was only 8kms I won't be forgeting this one in a hurry - what a hoot ;-)

ACTing Runner

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 8k
Month Total: 25k
Year Total: 1302k

I woke well before the alarm this morning after one of those truly awful sleeps that you can only get in a hotel where the aircon is either too hot or too cold and its too stuffy to turn it off.

Fortunately it was an absolutely stunning Canberra morning (though I'm terribly glad I packed a long sleeve top) so I headed off down through Telopea Park to the lake to play the 'let's side step the goose poop' game for about 400m till it was time to turn around and head back.

In one of lifes coincidences who should be coming the other way than the Chairman of my organisations Board of Directors. This is kinda funny as I'm not only an acting runner at the moment but I've also been acting as Big Kahuna at work for the last month while the boss has been away.

So after passing pleasantries with CBoD and subtly trying to reassure him that I was a) actually in the ACT on business, b) not stalking him, and c) that I hadn't contrived this chance meeting as a massive suck-up, I struggled my way back up the slight incline back to Rydges happy to have put another one in the bank.

Probably won't have another go till the weekend - I'm not really very sore but my legs feel like my feet have bricks tied to them.

Onwards and upwards ;-)

Happy Grind

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 21k
Year Total: 1298k

After Sunday's run and last nights training the legs were a little leaden tonight but I was determined to get out for a trot.

Though my legs felt heavy I was able to run more of the hill tonight and all in all kept to a much more consistent pace. At the end of the run I elected to progressively speed up over the last 500m rather than extend the distance and managed 5.15 for the last k - I was panting like a St Bernard at the Equator but it's such a great feeling when you hit terminal velocity.

I'll have another go on Thursday whilst I'm in our fair nations capital.

Take Two

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 17k
Year Total: 1294k

And on the 7th day he ran.

After my first attempt 2 weeks ago this last week was a bit of a set back. Without whinging (too much) I've been working my tail bone off at work and between that and my other teaching commitments I just had nothing left for running.

Yesterday I had hoped to run but with all the energy of a corpse I just veged around the house all day moaning and groaning till Mrs 2P made me go out for dinner - which to be fair did chirp me up a bit.

Today was garden chores which I undertook with reasonable grace and then a quick trip out to mums (she's got a broken wing at the moment) with a couple of meals she can heat up and eat with just a fork (courtesy of Mrs 2P).

When we got back I knew if I didn't run again soon it would just get harder and harder so I headed off on another circumnavigation of Concord Golf Course - I had to walk a bit of the hill which miffed me a bit but at least I finished fairly strongly.

I'm glad to get that one done as it will make the next one easier - provided I do it in the next 3 days that is......

Be the runner 2P, be the runner........

A Bit Further

Today Total: 5k
Week Total: 13k
Month Total: 13k
Year Total: 1290k

The weather up at Gwandalan was atrocious this weekend and with no footpaths to speak of I wasn't that keen to take my chances on the road. I was however really keen to get a run in so when I got home tonight I headed straight out in the squally rain.

On the last couple of runs I have had to walk a bit on the long hill behind Concord Golf Course but tonight I motored up it and celebrated by adding an extra k to the run.

Some of the showers were quite hard but I was pretty happy in an old light weight shell that I've had for yonks but for some reason never got that much work - all up I did the 5k in just a smidge over 30 mins so it is starting to come back - just need to maintain some consistency and I should be jake.

Tankety Tank

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 8k
Month Total: 8k
Year Total: 1285k

Sheesh - well the scales still refuse to come in under triple figures but at least I took another minute and a half off Tuesdays effort (if only I could keep improving at this rate). I'm certainly at no risk of the wind blowing me over at this weight though it did cause my ears to start aching during my doddle around the golf course tonight.

I pulled up surprisingly well after Tuesday though a teency bit shin sore after training last night - I always get a bit of shin soreness when I start back up so I'm not too worried as long as I don't over do it and give my calves a good stretch they should be fine.

I forgot to mention I'm also breaking in my new bronze coloured Nimbus VIII's - man they are one butt ugly looking shoe - comfy but ;-)

How about that weather?

Humpty Dumpty Hit A Great Wall

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 4k
Year Total: 1281k

Wow did I get a dose of DOMS after last Thursdays pathetic effort! Things weren't too bad on Friday but the longer Saturday went on the worse things got - guess that's why they call it DOMS huh?

Well time for another dose of systematic desensitisation (I'm desensitising myself to the concept that at the moment running = pain and lots of floppy jiggly bits) and took off around the golf course again tonight.

Testimony to that old adage that the body is a self maximising machine (and believe me my body can take that statement quite literally when I don't train) I knocked 1min 40 off my last try - so here's hoping I don't end up as sore!

BTW thanks for the warm welcome back guys - much appreciated

Flight Of The Phoenix

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 4k
Year Total: 1277k

Well not so much a matter of rising up from the ashes as struggling up through the phlegm and blubber. Nevertheless today was my first run since 3 July! I did do 20mins light workout on Monday but before that it was zip, nada, nuffin in the exercise department.

Since my last post my back improved steadily but then I contracted the chest infection from hell - a real pearler - I'm talkin the full ubangi - I mean the complete rootin, tootin shootin match - the whole nine yards -in a word - "yukko"! I haven't been as crook in years and with work really hectic I couldn't take time off so each day was a bit of a struggle (read my pathetic attempt at an excuse for not commenting on other blogs).

One other charming side-affect is that I've put on 7kgs since my pop passed away on 10 June - ahem!

Anyway it was good to have a hit out. Ran a steady first 2k then walk/ran the 3rd and jogged in the 4th for 4k in about 27mins.

Here's to keeping it going ;-)

Update

Hi all,

Having been a bit quiet on the blogging front of late I thought it timely for an update. My last 2 runs were 3 July & 22 June respectively.

Well I did it again, but this time I did it good. It was a case of 3 strikes and I'm out! Yep - I moved furniture again and my Crook Back Syndrome has been back with a vengance. Its not your mucking about type of CBS, its more like your fair dinkum one minute you're bending down to pull on a sock the next you're laying on the floor in a foetal position sucking your thumb kinda CBS.

Alas I suspect I need to concede my furniture moving days are over - pity - whilst I can't run for crap and academically I'm no great shakes either - I have been really, really good at picking heavy things up and putting em down again - looks like I'll just have to get better at running ;-)

I aint whinging - no doubt the universe is turning out as it should. A restructure and expansion at work has seen my portfolio double in size, so in one of those quirky twists it probably hasn't been such a bad thing that I've only had one major area of focus - could have lived without the pain though so I suppose I am whinging a bit.

Anyhoo, fact is I'm still sidelined but I'm  casting an eye out for something that might float my boat as a goal to motivate me to start running again the moment I can.

My four target races this year were: the Gosford 12 hour; 6 Foot; PMC; and 12 Foot and then just see what happened. As it turned out the first two went relatively well but complicating factors meant I whimped out at 62k of PMC. The CBS precludes a start at 12 Foot - so where to from here?

Any ideas?

Oh and whilst I'm here - please do me a favour and visit www.goodcall.com.au - if you decide to sign up with goodcall 6% of your total mobile call spend will be donated to Disability Services Australia and it won't cost you a cent - you just have to agree to receive your bill via email. If you are already with Telstra or Optus you will be able to stay with them. If you are with Vodaphone (or another telco) they will swap you to either Telstra or Optus (at no cost to you) and will match or better your current plan.

Sorry I haven't been the most attentive commenter on your blogs of late - hopefully this is a matter I can rectify soon.

Regards, 2P